Diamond Watch Fire
Fact Sheet
8/9/2022

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USFSIPNF

Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Priest Lake Ranger District

Phone: (208) 557-8813

Location: 5.5 miles west of Nordman, ID in Pend Oreille County, WA 
Size: 270 acres               Personnel: 26                 Containment: 0%

Incident Commander: ICT4 Hirst

Current Status: The Diamond Watch Fire detected on the evening of July 14th, was started by lightning and is visible from the Priest Lake area.  The fire is located 5.5 miles due west of Nordman, ID, and is burning on a ridge to the east of Diamond Peak in Pend Oreille County, WA.  Recent growth was mapped with an infrared flight and the fire is currently at 270 acres, most of the heat is showing on the south slope and the fire is highly visible from ID Highway 57 near Nordman ID.  An uptick in fire behavior due to high temperatures, winds, and periods of very low relative humidity allowed for conditions for fire growth.  
Planned Actions: Crews are utilizing heavy machinery to improve FSR 308 by removing excess fuel from roadsides which will support holding and containment of the fire. Firefighters are working to construct handline at the head of Diamond Creek utilizing natural barriers such as ridges and creeks and have placed a sprinkler system on the northern edge of the fire which is working to keep the fire out of the adjacent timber units.
Objectives: The safety of firefighters and the public is the primary objective.  Fire managers are using a confine strategy as fire crews evaluate safe access for suppression activities.  Management action points are in place to respond to changes in the fire.  Suppression activities are occurring where they have the greatest probability of success while limiting exposure to firefighting resources. 
Closures & Evacuations: Closure of Forest Service Roads 311, 308 and Petit Lake are currently in the process to provide for safe heavy equipment operations and fire suppression activity.  FSR 311 will be closed from the 311/308 junction to Petit Lake and FSR 308 will be closed from the 311/308 junction to the 308/1362 junction.  Best access to the Priest Lake area from the Colville National Forest will be through Newport, WA via US highway 2 north and Priest River, ID via ID highway 57 north.  There are NO evacuations currently in place.  However, when living in fire prone areas it is recommended that all area residents have an evacuation plan in place including having all important documents, pictures, prescriptions, and pets gathered up and easily transportable.  Residents of Bonner County, ID or Pend Oreille, WA can visit https://www.nixle.com or text home zip code to 888777 to sign up for emergency alerts.